Holme Farm is an 8 acre plot of land that has sat unused for decades. We plan to bring it back to life with the development of an outside space for a community allotment, sensory garden, apiary, biodiversity and wildlife projects (including a learning area) as well as the restoration of two buildings for carpentry, arts and crafts, IT skills, a meeting room, café and welfare room. We will use the passivhaus zero-carbon building model to ensure longevity and minimise future energy requirements. Holme Farm will be a safe welcoming facility for all the community where there will be a large range of activities such as gardening, nature conservation, exercise, camping, wood working and sewing & craft working in order to create connections & relationships, whilst protecting and enhancing the environment. There will be the opportunity to gain skills, socialise and get involved with helping the local community and the environment.

What we'll deliver:

• Use volunteers to clear the overgrown areas of the site
• Use volunteers to undertake wildlife surveys
• Make preparations to develop the site for community garden, allotment and workshops

Why it's a great idea:

Our objectives are to improve our post Covid community by: 1) Using practical activity to improve mental and physical health, especially reducing loneliness arising from social isolation 2) Improving community spirit by enabling members to mix and socialise in a community hub 3) Providing a safe welcoming environment to encourage and explore opportunities and interests 4) Providing opportunity for education of the wider community regardless of age and ability 5) Providing community access to open spaces and interaction with nature & wildlife 6) Providing indoor fully equipped workspaces for various skill sets and groups to undertake woodworking, arts and crafts 7) Providing a productive garden and orchard 8) Providing a biodiverse wild space and wildlife learning centre 9) Providing a space where people can gain information in an informal setting from official bodies i.e., Social Services, Health professionals and others

Steps to get it done:

• Task 1 - pre planning (finalising volunteers, equipment) by end March 2022
• Task 2 - organise utilities such as toilets, generator power
• Task 3 - hold site clearance days on set weekends and weekdays

We are a registered charity, formed by a group of individuals with a passion for bringing our local community together while helping to improve mental and physical health and combat loneliness. Our ambition is to create a green space for the local community of Runnymede, Weybridge and Woking in North Surrey which offers a range of opportunities to improve physical and mental health. Our aim is to improve social inclusion through the creation of a community hub, workshops and gardens on unused farmland, with green & social prescribing, education and conservation as our governing principles. Spending time outdoors in green space can benefit both mental and physical wellbeing. Community-growing projects reconnect people with nature and promote local action on global environmental issues through recycling, composting, the use of organic methods, the creation of wildlife areas and local food production.